Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the instrument gauges failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Tl* the contact's daughter owned a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. While the contact's daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The passenger side air bag deployed, but the driver's side air bag failed to deploy. As a result, the contact's daughter sustained injuries to the left eye, laceration of the nose, a broken jaw, the front teeth shifted, and black eyes. Medical attention was required. The driver of the other vehicle passed away as a result of the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound and destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I found only general information that our 1999 Jeep Cherokee had two recalls. It is twenty years old and I would like to find out more about the recalls. We are most concerned to learn that there was an air bag recall sometime in the past. We have owned it since 2003 and never received a recall. The info said it was a NHTSA recall #00V105000. The other recall says it's an after-market fuel pump air tex electric fuel pumps for 1999 ' 2004. Please send us any information on this and what we can do about it, if anything. Thank you
Air bag sensor relocated after recall to top of transmission housing. Airbag did not deploy after a 40 MPH frontal crash. Recall also changed position of wire harness causing short circuit. That resulted in failure of 4 PCM 's and stalling of the vehicle while driving.
The airbag light is on all the time and the horn does not work. Failed clock spring. Mileage 123,000. 1999 Jeep Classic. No cruise control.
Driver's side seat frame broke. Seat wobbles back and forth. Obviously an unsafe situation being strapped into a seat that is not properly secured to vehicle. Will force of pushing brake pedal totally separate seat from vehicle? This is a major safety issue relative to passenger restraint (me) and braking or stopping of the vehicle(others). I have read where this is a common occurrence on jeeps of the same model and year as mine. Clearly, this is a manufacturing defect. I have never had a seat frame fail on any other vehicle that I have operated. This is not rust related. It is simply a failed vehicle weight reduction program that has blossomed into a full blown safety concern for both those in the vehicle and anyone else outside of the vehicle in its general proximity. …
Passenger air bag went off while driving down the road in my 1999 Jeep Cherokee Chrysler investigated and said that nothing was wrong and won't do anything to repair. But I know there was something wrong because smoke came out of the air bag module and still smell burning wires dealership said that Jeep had known recall that said was performed and never was found recall on your web site it said possible air bag light or air bag deployment do to corrosion and the module was supposed to be moved to transmission tunnel but never was done and you can see corrosion all over module. And Chrysler would not say if it is safe to drive I would like to know what I should do this is a safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 00V105000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Robert green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (178 bridgeville rd, monticello, ny 12701, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy because of the year of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
1999 Jeep Cherokee. Attorney writes on behalf of consumer who died in a crash related to seat belt and airbag issues the decedent was driving on a clear day on a dry highway, when she suddenly hit a median and the vehicle rolled several times. According to the attending physician, the decedent was too small to be protected by the seat belt and shoulder harness and/or the air bags. The driver died from internal injuries caused by the seat belt /air bag not being properly designed to protect someone that small.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the air bag warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 00V105000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000 and the current mileage was 67,700.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Water and/or road salt in the proximity of the air bag control module could lead to corrosion.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module and locate the new module on the top of the transmission tunnel.
Airbag complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Jeep Cherokee, 10% of the model year's 366 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Cherokee airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-105 (sensor/control module-inactive, Apr 11, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Jeep Cherokee airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 20 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries and 2 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.